01-24-11 - I know what I know if you know what I mean

01-24-11
I’m not aware of too many things
I know what I know if you know what I mean
47 miles
I leave Cedar City looking for my first camping spot in Utah. Down a short drive is a town called Leeds. I think of The Who album “Live at Leeds” immediately.
Leeds is small. You can drive thru it in about 4 minutes. And that’s at the reduced speed limit. The homes are nice and quaint. And I’m thru the town before you know it. I see signs for Red Cliffs but can’t see where I missed it. I see a big RV campground, but it has a different name. I must have missed it because it looks like it want’s me to drive down this one lane road thru the freeway underpass tunnel. Oh, that IS what it wants me to do. Talk about your hidden entrance. The Hole in the wall gang couldn’t have found a better hideout!
And on the other side of the freeway tunnel you come to a T-intersection with no real hint to go left of right. I go left and think maybe I chose wrong. Because I have to ford a little stream that is flowing with run off waters. I go slowly, but not to slow. I don’t want to stall the car there. I’m up on the other side and climbing up the hill. It is a beautiful looking area. Shades of red pastel colors the hills. Red Cliffs indeed. I imagine Native Americans dwelling hear for years. I drive up and see a sign that says “Entering BLM fee area” and I know I’ve taken the correct path. I pass a building and parking area and proceed up. The campsite is laid out in a circular path. One way circuit around.. The day use part is first and the camping is after. The river I passed below runs thru the center of the camp. By the river there are old trees on either side forming a shaded shelter area. Above are the campsites. Each has a metal sun/rain shelter and a fire pit. I chose (after looping around twice) #7. It’s a good number and it’s near to the pit toilet and a water pump. It seems to be protected from wind because it has a large cliff rising beside it and it is after the turn that follows the main canyon down the river course. There is also a small hill directly across from me. And the view from my site is extraordinary. And the view from atop the hill is even better. (Plus I can get cell reception there!)
I set up camp and just as I’m done a man approaches and starts singing “California Here I come”. He’s noted my license plate. He’s the camp host. He’s here to collect my camping fees. I mentioned that I’d been by their space earlier and didn’t find anyone at home. The said that’s seen me driving around the site but were down in the hollow at the time I say that I plan to stay for at least two days and I don’t have the proper change for that. He say he’ll make the change and fill out the form and give me the receipt. He’s back in about 20 minutes with my change and he places my receipt on the post by the road. He brings his wife with him and makes introductions. They are a nice couple and seem happy here. Besides them there is only one other camper at the moment. I get the details about resources around the area from the host and plan to make a sortee into town later for gas and some provisions and maybe some internet access. The also tell me about the Anasazi ruins off to the northeast of my tent. It is this hill in the distance a good hike away but they say it is an easy walk and I can take Mischa with me. I plan to do that tomorrow. Following John’s directions I venture out to find the local “Big town” and get gas. I pass be a reservoir that has a campsite and check it out. Prices are reasonable (though not as cheap as the BLM site) but it’s right on the water. I keep it in the back of my head for a possible ‘next campsite”. I continue around the reservoir to the intersection that leads to the town of Hurricane.
I go through the town noting the gas prices, looking for the best deal I also note the Wal-Mart; supermarkets; and especially the Library near the end of town. I can use their computers for one hour per day. Groovy. It’s an hour Mischa will be alone in the car, but it’s essential to post and get info from “the world” and she gets used to it soon enough. Windows are cracked, she has her blanket and her “babies” (stuffed plush toys) and food and water. She’ll be ok (I tell myself) But she barks as soon as I leaver her I the car. Guilt vs. necessity. Tough one.
When I come out, Mischa is lying on here quilt, napping. She sees me when I open the door and is up wagging her tail. I guess it wasn’t all that traumatic for her.
We get back to camp and I buy some firewood and cook some food (tuna & rice) and have cocoa for the evenings repast. Mischa gets her regular dog food and the Dogswell chicken strips. We’re both “Happy Campers. It’s getting to be a little colder after sunset. The temp drops quickly and we head into the tent for the night. The stars above are dazzling images of solar flares emitted thousands of years ago. And they are hitting my eyes tonight. I think of the Anasazi that once called these cliffs their home. I think of time and history and science in general. I’m sitting in a tent on a sphere rotating away from facing our sun being pelted by light from suns billions of miles away that may have been looked at by the Anasazi from these same cliffs a few hundred years ago. A time exposure .
Time for sleep. Don’t want to get too lost in the cosmos.